The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-04-22
THE FATHER DAMIEN FUND.

There is something singular about
the English fund in aid of Father Da-
mien, of Molokai A short time ago
the ADVERTISER announced that 81 900
had been subscribed in England for the
relief and comfort of this self-martyred
disciple of Christ, at the same time sug-
costing a doubt as to whether it had
been received. We made this
suggestion because no mention of the
receipt of the money or its application
had been made, as is usual in all cases
of public contribution to a personal or
charitable object. The reason is OBJ
vious: such public mention is evidence
to the subscribers that the money has
been properly applied.
We now find that we did an injustice
by this suggestion. The money was re-
ceived before January 20, 1887, and the
bulk OF it was expended almost imme-
diately after the arrival of the draft
At least that is what Father Damien
himself says in his letter which APP
peared in the London "Times." And
Just here the puzzle begins Our we'll
informed London correspondent makes
the point squarely when he says: "Con-
sidering the large amount of money an
nually expended on the leper settlement
of Molokai by the Hawaiian Govern
ment, some surprise was caused by the
publication in the "Times" of March
18th OF the following letter by Father
Damien" We certainly join in the eX
preston of surprise, because the letter
in question, which will be found in our
English Jottings," opens out wide
field for investigation and thought.
Last session of the Legislature $780,
900 were appropriated for the Leper Set
Element, and about $4,000 were ex
pended on that account during the past
fiscal year. This would appear to be
a pretty liberal provision for the lepers,
and the expenditure is sufficiently heavy
to impress one with the idea that
these unfortunates want for nothing.
But according to Father Damien
this is not the case. He writes {:
'tI greatly thank the charitable donors
for the unbounded confidence they place
in me for the disposal and distribution OF
their generous gifts for the comfort OF
the needy and unfortunate lepers. Be-
ing just now in the cold season, I send to-
day to our Honolulu importers a large
order for goods to supply all our needy,
without distinction of race or creed, with
suitable cloth and other necessities. The
balance of the fund, whatsoever it may
be, will be kept in reserve for future
wants By the arrival of those goods,
the scent of the flower OF English love
will be greatly appreciated by great
many poor destitute sufferers whose cold
and benumbed limbs will feel again the
comfort of warm CLOTH The majority Of
the receivers will, without doubt, ex-
press their thanks to all their benefactors,
and offer fervent prayer for Them
Having read this extract from Father
Damien's letter, the bulk of our readers
viii join the English public in their sur
prise at the statements therein con-
tanned, g considering the large amount
of money annually expended on the
leper settlement at Molokai by the Ha-
waiian Government" Is it a fact that the
unfortunate inmates of the leper colony
were suffering from cold owing to insult
ficient clothing? That is what Father
Damien says. There is no installing his
words, which formulate serious charge
of neglect against the Board of Health
that has care of the Leper Settlement
Let us have the truth about this pre-
scented open and above-board 1t con-
Germs the honor and humanity of the
nation. No one ever suggested that the
appropriation for the care of lepers
should be curtailed The money asked
for by Ministers was freely voted, and
its expenditure is entirely at the discre-
tfon OF the Board of Health. Were it
not that Father Damien makes the state
ment we could not for an instant credit |
the truth OF such an imputation; and, to
be candid about it, we areN still in doubt
regarding this matter.
This affair cannot rest wheEe it is, how
ever. Ii the lepers are insufnsciently
clothed let the public know it, and if
the appropriation is not large enough
ne Government will be Unidentified
next session for any necessary expendi-
are that may be incurred to furnish